'The Derek Kavanagh in the All-Ireland semi-final wasn't the real me'

The captain faces up to the huge mental hurdle Cork need to overcome if they are to beat Kerry today

A jaded Sunday afternoon last August and the shadows are drawn across Croke Park as the sun sets on Cork. Derek Kavanagh is looking to the line, counting the seconds. Waiting.

This is the worst part. Standing alone in yards of space in front of goal. The game is lost and Kerry are strolling to an All-Ireland final. Kavanagh’s ankle aches again. Another big day is ending with a nasty sting. The crowd drains out of the stands. The Gooch is dancing and out the field Kerry are sewing it into Cork. He stands, still waiting for the whistle.

After weeks of waiting, the day was stained with doubt from the beginning. The previous Tuesday night his ankle had buckled in training and swelled like a balloon. No chance, he said. Over four decades with Cork, Billy Morgan and Dr Con Murphy had seen the power of the human body